EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND – Development actions implemented via actual cost grants – 2025

Objectives :

• To demonstrate the enhanced capability of the integration of the multiband 4D radar demonstrator to be developed as the basis of EU integrated systems for future naval platforms and further application to ground/air surveillance systems
• To integrate detection circuits of varying wavelengths onto readout integrated circuits platforms and incorporate these focal plane arrays into integrated demonstrators
• To develop state-of-the-art, effective, and reliable solutions that operate and, where possible, automate larger parts of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries military cyberspace operations in a distributed manner, including the synchronisation of kinetic and cyber exercises across domains that present multiple dilemmas to adversaries
• To develop European Space-base ISR (SBISR) capabilities
• To develop and mature a new suite of advanced technologies for propulsion, power and thermal management system for fighter aircraft that can be applied
  in a modular and flexible manner to different sizes and types of systems, operating within a System-of-Systems (SoS) configuration that should include various interconnected elements, including manned and unmanned systems, swarms of drones and auxiliary platforms
• To develop an EU perspective to enable EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to harmonise, standardise and share processes and tools to efficiently operate, in the medium to long term, joint air combat capabilities combining future air combat systems, manned or unmanned platforms, legacy platforms and their evolution, including sensors and effectors
• To provide the pilot with the appropriate situational awareness, understanding of system modes and status, and the ability to act and react in a timely manner to ensure mission success
• To increase the maturity of enabling technologies to enhance the performance and effectiveness of armoured land platforms and especially certification of system level solutions
• To enhance existing collaborative functions to a higher maturity (TRL 6 to 7), develop new capabilities through studies, prototyping, and demonstrations, and improve connectivity and interaction between platforms from different nations
• To develop the next-generation dismounted soldier system (NGDSS), finding synergies with existing topical EDF projects’ concepts and developments through an updated open-source architecture, as well as NATO efforts and the development of individual and networking capabilities
• To provide the required flexibility to quickly incorporate new SOTS or improvements or upgrade key functions where needed
• To develop a new generation of Unmanned Underwater Super Systems (UUSS) and networks

Priorities :

• Priority 1: To improve operation capabilities and resilience to future scenarios of EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ defence forces, in line with their strategic needs and trend
• Priority 2: To strenght the security of supply at EU level of advanced ROIC technology
• Priority 3: To improve the efficiency and adaptability for distributed action in the
  context of military operations in the cyberspace domain
• Priority 4: To improve the implementation of operational strategy by strengthening the decomposition of cyber forces for tasks and battlespace domains
• Priority 5: To enhance Reactivity (rapid availability of information after request)
• Priority 6: To facilitate the introduction of new aerial propulsion and energy integrated systems technologies through a reduction of their evaluation time and cost
• Priority 7: To share consolidated EU perspective for Air collaborative warfare
• Priority 8: To enhance combat pilot technologies tests and demonstrations
  to welcome joint or national tests and demonstration needs
• Priority 9: To provide vehicle solutions to reduced environmental and logistic footprint
• Priority 10: To introduce new innovative collaborative combat technologies and capabilities that can be adapted to various manned or unmanned platforms
• Priority 11: To accelerate the battle rhythm of naval operations based on real time exchange of data and synchronised collaboration between naval assets
• Priority 12: To enhance security for EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries

Among financed actions :

• Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies
• Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
• Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment
• System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology
• Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies

Eligibility :

• Be a legal person
• Be a public or private entity
• Be established in one of the eligible countries:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
  • Non-EU states : listed EEA countries and countries associated to the European Defence Fund (Click here)
• Have its executive management structure established in eligible countries
• Must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity
• Project proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 3 entities based in at least 3 member states or associated countries

Additional information :

• Initial duration of the action: 24 months
• Contact: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu

Useful :

• Guidelines: Click here
• Other call documents: Click here
• DG website: Click here
• More information: Click here

• Total budget of the call: 546.500.000 euros
• Budget per topic:
  • EDF-2025-DA-AIR-CAC: 49 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-AIR-EPE: 54 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-CYBER-CDOC-STEP: 34 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-ENERENV-APEM: 49 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-GROUND-FM2LP: 79 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-GROUND-LCC-STEP: 44 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-NAVAL-DSNCC-STEP: 54 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-PROTMOB-SS: 35 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-SENS-IRD-STEP: 29 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP: 29.500.000 euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-SPACE-SBISR: 66 million euros
  • EDF-2025-DA-UWW-AUWN-STEP: 25 million euros
• Funding rate: up to 100% of the total eligible costs